Time Zone
Qatar time is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 7/8 hours ahead of New York EST/DST. There is no daylight savings time in Qatar.
Currency
The Qatari Riyal (QR) is the currency of the country and $1 U.S. purchases QR3.65 (fixed rate). Most major establishments accept major credit cards; some will accept U.S. Dollars
Tourist Attractions
In steeped-in-tradition Qatar, you can learn about the ancient pursuit of falconry, watch camels race across the desert and admire traditional dhows (wooden boats) bobbing on the water. But the country is developing rapidly, with the capital Doha a world-class city in the making, thanks to its spectacular modern skyline, peerless Museum of Islamic Art, fine and expansive traditional souq, and burgeoning arts and culinary scenes. On any given day you could sample a portfolio of sophisticated restaurants, then watch the sunset over sand dunes that seem to spring from a fairy tale.
Official Hotels
Visiting Qatar
Climate
Qatar has a pleasant climate nine months of the year with hot summers and relatively warm winters. In the summer, the temperature ranges between 77-120 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity. The temperature is eased by air conditioning in the vast majority of homes and workplaces. During the summer, most people take holidays or spend more time indoors. Sports, entertainment and leisure facilities are available in a vast array of recreation areas including clubs and hotels.
Winter is dry and resembles early fall in North America. Temperatures range from 50-75 degrees Fahrenheit, with the cooler temperatures prevailing in the evenings. Rainfall is minimal, averaging three inches per year. Sand storms haze and dust storms are common.
Tourist Attractions
In steeped-in-tradition Qatar, you can learn about the ancient pursuit of falconry, watch camels race across the desert and admire traditional dhows (wooden boats) bobbing on the water. But the country is developing rapidly, with the capital Doha a world-class city in the making, thanks to its spectacular modern skyline, peerless Museum of Islamic Art, fine and expansive traditional souq, and burgeoning arts and culinary scenes. In any given day you could sample a portfolio of sophisticated restaurants, then watch the sun set over sand dunes that seem to spring from a fairy tale.
As Qatar prepares to host the 2022 World Cup, there's a flurry of activity and controversy in the air – as the nation uses imported laborers for new construction, including roads, rail routes and stadiums for the future fans. The recent Saudi-led blockade of Qatar makes most onward Gulf travel from this once-popular stopover destination extremely difficult.
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Visa
More information on Qatar Visas can be found here.
Important Travel information and Tips to plan your trip to Qatar
Key web pages
Health
Upcoming events in Qatar